Pool Reports by Michael Collins, USA Today
| Sent: | Reports: |
| May 27, 2022 08:41 |
Out-of-town pool report #1: Schedule update Good morning from the White House. We have a bad weather call, so the president will motorcade to Annapolis for the Naval Academy's graduation and commissioning ceremony. Pool has loaded into the vans and is awaiting departure from the White House The weather forecast in Annapolis calls for rain, starting around noon. The graduation ceremony is scheduled to be outdoors, rain or shine, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. |
| May 27, 2022 09:09 |
Out-of-town pool report #2: WH departure POTUS walked out of the White House at 9:07 am and got into The Beast. We are rolling for Annapolis. |
| May 27, 2022 09:52 |
Out-of-town pool report #3: Annapolis arrival Motorcade arrived at the Naval Academy at 9:48 am after an uneventful ride. Crowds along the route in Annapolis waved to the motorcade and took photos with their cellphones. A couple of men held up a huge banner that read: "Don't blame me. I voted for Trump ." From the White House: Traveling with the President to Annapolis: Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs |
| May 27, 2022 10:05 |
Print pool report #4: Color from the stadium Some color from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: The graduating class is seated in rows of white folding chairs on the stadium grounds facing the stage. Family, friends and other spectators are seated in the stands, which are mostly full. The skies are overcast and there's an occasional breeze, but no rain so far. The ceremonies will be live streamed on the White House website, so your pooler will not be sending a feed from POTUS' remarks. |
| May 27, 2022 10:25 |
Out-of-town pool report #5: Ceremony begins POTUS took the stage to cheers and applause at 10:17 a.m. He was wearing a face mask, but removed it when he arrived at his position on the stage. He placed a hand over his heart as he was greeted with a 21-gun salute, which was followed by the playing of the National Anthem. More details from the White House: Attendees at the United States Naval Academy Commencement include 20,000 attendees, including graduates, families graduates, members of United States Navy leadership, members of the administration, and Members of Congress. Seated on stage with the President: Commencement run of show: |
| May 27, 2022 10:35 |
Out-of-town pool report #6: POTUS speaks POTUS was introduced at 10:34 a.m. and began his remarks. |
| May 27, 2022 11:02 |
Out-of-town pool report #7: POTUS concludes POTUS wrapped up his remarks at 11 a.m. |
| May 27, 2022 11:50 |
Out-of-town pool report #8: Presentation of diplomas More color from the ceremony: The sun broke through the clouds briefly and a light breeze blew as Marine Corps selectees rose from their seats, raised their right hands and swore to support and uphold the Constitution during their commissioning ceremony. A few minutes later, Navy selectees stood and took their oath of office. POTUS remained on stage during the ceremony. At 11:19 a.m., POTUS began presenting diplomas to the distinguished, top 100 graduates. One by one, they walked across the stage as their names were called over the loudspeakers. POTUS handed diplomas to each graduate, shook their hands and spoke with each for a few seconds. Pool was seated too far from the stage to make out any of their conversations. Afterward, POTUS began receiving the rest of graduates, who walked to the center of the stage one by one. POTUS shook their hands and patted a few on the shoulder or the elbow. The graduates then were handed their diploma from a receiving line that included Secretary Del Toro, Vice Admiral Buck, Admiral Gilday, General Berger and Colonel McDonough. Some of the graduates held their diplomas up in the air as they exited the stage. The presentation of diplomas is still under way. |
| May 27, 2022 13:27 |
Out-of-town pool report #9 Pool was ushered back to the vans immediately after the presentation of diplomas ended and the new graduates tossed their hats into the air. Pool did not see POTUS' return to the motorcade. The rain held off for the duration of the ceremony, but at 1:08 pm, the skies over Annapolis opened up and a downpour ensued. At 1:26 pm, we are still awaiting departure. |
| May 27, 2022 14:09 |
Out-of-town pool report #10: Annapolis departure Motorcade departed the Naval Academy at 2:07 pm. We are motorcading to JBA and taking AF1 to Delaware. |
| May 27, 2022 14:47 |
Out-of-town pool report #11: JBA arrival Motorcade pulled into JBA at 2:41 pm. POTUS boarded AF1 at 2:46. He did not take questions We are taking the small plane to Delaware. We are rolling shortly. |
| May 27, 2022 15:58 |
Out-of-town pool report #12: Delaware arrival AF1 was wheels down at DANG at 3:43 pm. POTUS walked down the stairs of the plane at 3:55 pm amid a light rain and got into an SUV. There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight. We are rolling to POTUS' residence at 3:57 pm. |
| May 27, 2022 16:14 |
Out-of-town pool report #13: lid Motorcade arrived at POTUS' residence at 4:08 pm. Pool did not see him exit the SUV. We have a travel photo lid at 4:12 pm. Have a good night, everybody. |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of May 27, 2022 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/356141